...i strongly echo the concerns of the reporter in regards to Cadena being eligible to play! When his nationalization was first mentioned a few months ago i actually sent him a twitter regarding this. Hopefully FENIFUT does their homework and make sure they are working within FIFA regulations before calling him up to the national team!
Its possible now that Nicaragua might have almost half their national team made up f players being nationalised from the top of my head i can think of Dani Cadena (Spain-Nicaragua), Copete (Colombia-Nicaragua), Manual Rosas (Mexican-Niacaragua), Raul Leguias (Panama-Nicaragua) ..thats just from the top of my head. What worries me how much Nicaragua has fallen backward since their achievement of reaching the gold cup back in 2009. Personally I blame the coach whose pedigree (coaching third division clubs in spain) to begin with wasn't that impressive, he nationalising alot of players instead selecting youth or in form players (I saw several that have real potential such as Luis Manuel Galeano, Carlos Chavarria, Milton Zeledon, Xavier Dolmus). Also six foreign players are allowed in each squad in nicaragua...so let taht sink in how many opportuntiy that allows for nicaraguan football players to gain any playing time.
If people want to catch up with news and reports on Nicaragua first division its best to follow Futbol Nica: http://www.futbolnica.net/ and this is their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FutbolNica?fref=ts Gol Futbol nicaragua: http://www.goolnica.com/beta/ and here is their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoolNica?fref=ts
They did manage to qualify for the U20 CONCACAF Championship a couple of years back. First time they've made it since 96 and possibly the first time they've qualified in their history. I may be wrong but i believe in previous editions they had been given automatic qualification. So that's something! It was really disappointing to see them not qualify for Gold Cup 2013 though and more so the fact that they have not played an international match since Copa Centroamericana in January of last year and won't play until this years edition where they face Costa Rica and Panama in the group stage.
Correct, born in Nicaragua out of nicaraguan parents, but he moved to Costa rica when he still was a kid
Under 20 news Nicaragua were absoutleyd emolsihed by Panama 5-0, another interesting note their senoir national team coach Enrique Illena also coaches the under 20 side I believe if Nicaragua don't put a decent showing in the copa centroamericana he should be sacked and replaced wit either the best national coach in the league Olivas Otoneil or replace with a foreign coach with decent pedigree I mean I am sure there are some decent costa rican, colombian or uruguayan coaches. External links: Meanwhile Real Esteli defeated Aguila 1-0 in international friendly External Links: http://www.futbolnica.net/real-esteli-vence-al-cd-aguila-en-amistoso-internacional
Under 20 Nicaragua recent results A victory over Belize 4-0 A loss against Costa Rica 0-2 A loss against El Salvador 1-7 They have two games remaining Honduras and Guatemala (they still have a chance of qualifying however realistically their goal difference will make it less likely). Most of the criticism is headed towards the national team and under 20 coach Enrique Illena with some saying his coaching is sending Nicaragua football backwards (this is one of the most popular pictures making the round on the social network).
League News Round 1 Results Juventus Managua 5-2 Fox Villa Real Esteli FC 3-1 Ocotal ART Jalapa 2-0 Diriangen FC Walter Ferretti 3-0 Real Madriz Managua FC 2-1 UNAN Managua Does anyone know any Nicaraguan players or players with Nicaraguan parents who haven't represented any other country in international level playing abroad. would like to keep an eye out on them and update you how their going. The only ones I could think were Axel Villanuevo at Tauro (Panama) and raul Leguias Cerro Lagos (Uruguay) but I think both have returned back to play in Nicaragua with Walter Ferretti.
Yeah they're both already capped. Would be interesting to research players unknown to the Nicaraguan federation; players who could be useful additions to the national team.
Yeah likewise and my bad forgot to add a separate list of players that have played for the national team and who have played abraod (which axel Villanueva and Raul Leguias come under)
If I remember correctly there was a Nicaraguan-Swede within the Juve primavera team a couple years ago, idk where he is now.
Carlos Garcia - Defender - 21 - Now with Parma FC (currently loaned at Jonkopings Sodra IF - Swedish 2nd Division) It's promising to see him with the Nicaraguan flag! Although he's played for Sweden at junior level, maybe he'd be interested in making the switch. Edit: In this article - from Nicaragua published in 2010 - they state that he can not play for Nicaragua; it doesn't list a reason why though.
Thibault Balp - Defender - 24 - AS Valence (French 4th Division) There are a few others here and there who play in Europe, but most are in divisions lower than 4th tier so i won't bother listing them.
Is now Assistant Technical Director and Development Director at Weston FC (US Soccer Development Academy member).
I am suprised their are not many players playing in the costa rican leagues especially in the lower division
Andres Vega - Midfielder - 20 - Saint Francis University (NCAA Division 1) Alvaro Pichardo - Foward - 20 - Cleveland State University (NCAA Division 1)
It's just a matter of time before he gets a senior capped with Australia but there is also... Mustafa Amini - Midfielder - 21 - Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)
Another player to add to the list is Derick Sequeira Toronto FC Academy player whose dad is Nicaraguan. Although he got called to represent Canada at under 17 world cup in Dubai back in 2013.
Interesting to note he represented Nicaragua U17 in the UNCAF Championship qualifiers and then went on to represent Canada in the Championship itself - Nicaragua didn't make it. Canada then made it through to the World Cup and although he was on a shortlist of 24 players to go, he didn't make the final cut of 21. It was reported yesterday though, that he has decided to play for Nicaragua; i assume he want's to play in the Copa Centroamericana next month. Be interesting to see if they call him up.
Nicholas Zuniga - Foward - 20 - University of Conneticut (NCAA Division 1) Jake Zuniga - Midfielder - 21 - Fairfield University (NCAA Divison 1)